Beginner’s Discipleship Class 15 : Crucifixion, Resurrection, And Ascension Of Christ

The crucifixion of Jesus Christ stands as one of the most heavily debated subjects in religion. This brutal method of execution, the practice of crucifixion, was a common form of capital punishment in the 1st century, employed by the Roman Empire to instill fear and maintain control. The aspects of crucifixion, from the positioning of the limbs to the type of cross used, were meticulously crafted to maximize pain and prolong the agony, making it one of the most dreaded forms of capital punishment in history.

The crucifixion methods were a harrowing form of execution, designed not only to kill but to publicly humiliate and torture its victims. A crucifixion victim would endure prolonged suffering, often leading to cardiac arrest due to the immense strain on the heart.

Crucifixion of Christ

It was prophesied in the Bible. – Isaiah 55
Messiah (Jesus Christ) to be cut off (crucified)

Daniel 9:26: “And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.”

Smite the shepherd (Jesus), and the sheep (disciples) shall be scattered.

Zechariah 13:7: “Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.”
It was foreknown by God.

1 Peter 1:19-20: “But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,”
Acts 2:23: “Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:”
Isaiah 53:6: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
Isaiah 53:10: “Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.”
It was voluntary.

John 10:18: “No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.”
The purpose of His death is to pay the penalty of sin. He died so that men can live.

1 Thessalonians 5:10: “Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.”
The result of His death was that He became Savior for all men.

1 Timothy 4:10: “For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.”

Terms of His Death

Atonement: payment made to bring two disputing parties together

Romans 5:11: “And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.”
Propitiation: satisfying payment to the person one owes

1 John 2:2: “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”
Substitution: taking the place of the condemned

John 10:11: “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”
Redemption: buying back someone with a price

1 Peter 1:18-19: “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:”
Reconciliation: unite what has been separated

Romans 5:10: “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.”
Ransom: the price paid for one’s release

Matthew 20:28: “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

Mode of His Death

By crucifixion
He died on a cross, not stake (upright beam).

Mark 15:24: “And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take.”
Mark 15:30: “Save thyself, and come down from the cross.”
Mark 15:32: “Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.”

Nails show crucifixion, as He was nailed in both hands to the cross.

John 20:25: “The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

The sign (wooden plaque) was on top of His head.

Matthew 27:37: “And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
An ignominious death
A very shameful death

Hebrews 12:2: “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
A curse
The cross is a curse.

Galatians 3:13: “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:”

Objections to the Death of Christ

Can’t man atone for his own sins?
Man doesn’t get atonement of sin if there is no blood involved.

Hebrews 9:22: “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.”
The doctrine of Christ’s death was invented by Paul.
Long before Paul got saved, Jesus talked about His own death.

Matthew 16:21: “From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.”
John 12:24: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.”
Won’t this make religious people feel hopeless and sin even more? (For those who have been relying on their good works to get them into heaven, after they’ve learned this, they may feel hopeless. Or think that with their salvation, they can go and murder someone and still go to heaven.)
No. The cross of Jesus Christ shows God’s hatred towards sin. Jesus went through the worst torment on the cross for men.

Romans 6:1-2: “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”
Couldn’t God just blot out one’s sin without the cross?
Every crime against God’s holiness and justice must be paid.
The wage of sin is death. This shows that the crime must be paid for.

Romans 6:22: “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.”
If sin required eternal suffering, then how could a few hours at Calvary count as enough suffering?
The matter is not the amount of suffering but the satisfaction of God’s holiness and justice.

Evidence of the Resurrection

Number of witnesses
There were over 500 witnesses of His resurrection.

1 Corinthians 15:6: “After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.”
Written testimony

Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, 1 Peter – Jude
Conviction of strong skeptics

Luke 24:13: “And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.”

Thomas

John 20:25-29: “The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.”

Paul

Philippians 3:4-7: “Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.”
Empty tomb

Matthew 28:6: “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”
Luke 24:3: “And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.”
Risking everything upon a living Savior

1 Corinthians 15:16-19: “For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.”

Explanation of the Resurrection

The Myth Theory: How does one know this isn’t just a myth passed down by ancient people?
It takes a few generations to form a myth. The New Testament took less than a generation to complete.
The Hallucination Theory: How does one know that they weren’t hallucinating?
They touched and felt Him.

Matthew 28:9: “And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.”
1 John 1:1: “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;”

Even a skeptic believed and got converted.

John 20:25: “The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

500 people saw Him alive, so it cannot be a hallucination.
A Fraud Theory: They were all lying.
The disciples were afraid of the Jews.

John 20:19: “Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.”

Christians were being tormented, killed, and crucified by Romans for this. They would not have all gone through this pain for a lie.
The Swoon Theory: Jesus Christ swooned (fainted) on the cross and the cool air revived Him.
Every last drop of His blood was gone.

John 19:34: “But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.”

They placed spices on His body. If He was alive, then he’d be dead because the spices were poisonous.

John 19:40: “Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.”

The stone covering His tomb was so large that it needed the strength of a few men to move it.

Mark 16:1-4: “And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.”

His tomb was guarded by soldiers.

Matthew 27:62-66: “Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.”
The Stolen Body Theory: Robbers came and stole His body.
When Jesus was buried, they wrapped Him in bandages and put a headcloth on His face. No robber would unwrap the bandages, take the body and wrap it back up. On top of that, there were soldiers outside guarding the tomb.

Matthew 28
Mark 16

Over 500 witnesses saw Jesus too.
The Ghost Theory: When they saw Jesus, it was His ghost, not His body.
A spirit has not flesh and bone. Not only did they touch Him, but He ate and drank with them.

Luke 24:39: “Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.”
Luke 24:43: “And he took it, and did eat before them.”
The Excavation Theory: Recently, archeologists have excavated the body of Jesus.
Just because they found a tomb with the name “Jesus” does not mean that it is Jesus Christ. There are many people whose name is Jesus.

Acts 7:45: “Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David;”

How Did Jesus Rise from the Dead?

By the power of the Father

Acts 2:23-24: “Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.”
By the power of Christ Himself

John 2:19: “Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
By the power of the Holy Spirit

1 Peter 3:18: “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:”

His Resurrected Body

It is flesh and bone and has no blood.

Luke 24:39: “Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.”
It is a glorious body.

Philippians 3:21: “Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”
It is an immortal body.

Romans 6:9: “Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.”
It is a spiritual body (holy, sinless, spotless).

1 Corinthians 15:44-45: “It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.”
1 Corinthians 15:47: “The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.”
It can phase through solid objects.

John 20:19: “Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.”
It is like the future glorified bodies of Christians.

1 John 3:2: “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”

Result of the Resurrection

It proved the existence of God.

Romans 10:9: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
It proved the deity of Christ.

Romans 1:4: “And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:”
It meant salvation was an accomplished fact.

Romans 5:10: “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.”
It guaranteed that everyone will rise again.

1 Corinthians 15:16: “For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:”
It had men walking in the newness of life.

Romans 6:4: “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
It prepared Him to fulfill His next promise.

John 14:3: “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

Story of His Ascension

He spent 40 days on earth after His resurrection to prove He’s alive (establishment of believer’s faith) and prepared them in His teachings (explained much of His past teachings in light of that which occurred; His own death, burial, and resurrection).

Acts 1:3: “To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:”
He went up to heaven on a cloud bodily and visibly.

Acts 1:9-11: “And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”
He ascended up and sat down on the right hand of the Father.

Ephesians 1:20: “Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,”

Geographically, Jesus was standing and was now sitting on the right hand of God. This is not figurative.

Acts 7:55-56: “But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.”

Prophecy of His Ascension

Psalm 68:18: “Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.”

Psalm 110:1: “(A Psalm of David.) The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.”

Luke 9:51: “And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,”

John 6:62: “What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?”

John 14:28: “Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.”

John 20:17: “Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.”

The Importance of His Ascension

The Holy Spirit comes unto believers.

John 16:7: “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.”
Christ prepares mansions for believers.

John 14:2-3: “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
Disciples can do greater work.

John 14:12: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.”
Completes the redemptive work that was required.

John 20:16-17: “Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.”
Jesus ascended to enter into the ministry of intercession at God’s throne.

Hebrews 9:24: “For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:”
Hebrews 7:25: “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”
Hebrews 8:1: “Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;”
Jesus’ ascension made His ministry worldwide, not localized in Palestine.

Matthew 28:19: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:”

The ascension became a strong proof and explanation of the resurrection body.

Purpose of the Ascension

To glorify the Father

John 17:1: “These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:”
To become a Prince and a Savior

Acts 5:31: “Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.”
As a forerunner, opening the pathway for men.
He is the author and finisher of their faith. He is also the runner who went ahead of them and prepared the track.

Hebrews 6:20: “Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.”
To prepare man’s heavenly abode

John 14:2: “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.”
To be our High Priest

Hebrews 10:21: “And having an high priest over the house of God;”
To take His appropriate place at the right hand of God in glory

Hebrews 10:12-13: “But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.”

Results of the Ascension

Christ gave gifts to men.

Ephesians 4:8: “Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.”
The Holy Spirit descended.

Acts 2:33: “Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.”
He demonstrated that the sins were purged by sitting down, showing completed action.

Hebrews 1:3: “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;”

Throughout the Old Testament, the priests who ministered in the tabernacle could never sit, which clearly indicates that their work was never finished.
Our High Priest, when He finished the blood atonement, sat down, which clearly indicates that man’s salvation was finished.
Men can now come boldly to Him in prayer.

Hebrews 4:14-16: “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
He was also able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him.

Hebrews 7:25: “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”
His presence in heaven causes men to draw near with a true heart.

Hebrews 10:22: “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.”

He now stands at the portals of heaven, beckoning men to look unto Jesus.

Hebrews 12:2: “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

He stands as the goal at the end of the journey.
Positionally, Christians have already ascended to heaven in spirit. They are seated with Christ today in heavenly places.

Ephesians 2:6: “And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:”

They were even told to come boldly unto the throne of grace because they were already in the throne room.

Hebrews 4:16: “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
That He might fulfill all things

Ephesians 4:10: “He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)”
His ascension became a coronation.
Angels, authorities, and powers are now subject unto Him.

1 Peter 3:21-22: “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.”
One day every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:10-11: “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Jesus was the only man who ever ascended up under His own power.

For further reading,

– Evidence of crucifixion and Jesus’ suffering and death at the cross